Patents by Inventor Karlton David Powell

Karlton David Powell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20190369306
    Abstract: An optical system comprises an optical sensor configured to receive light within one or more bandwidths of interest and an optical stack placed optically in front of the optical sensor. The optical stack comprises a polymeric layer optically transparent to at least the one or more bandwidths of interest, and a matching index layer positioned optically in front of the polymeric layer, the matching index layer and polymeric layer having refractive indexes within a threshold similarity. The optical stack further includes a bumpy diffuse surface embedded between the polymeric layer and the matching index layer, and a partially reflective layer positioned in between the bumpy diffuse surface and the matching index layer, the partially reflective layer configured to at least partially reflect at least some wavelengths outside the one or more bandwidths of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David POWELL
  • Publication number: 20190324285
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to optical systems. One example provides a display device comprising an image source including a plurality of encoded regions from which encoded image light is output, and a lens array. The lens array may be positioned to receive the encoded image light and output decoded image light that forms a floating image viewable from a plurality of different vantage points, wherein from a first vantage point decoded image light forming a portion of the floating image originates from a first encoded region, and wherein from a second vantage point decoded image light forming the portion originates from a second encoded region, different than the first encoded region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David Powell
  • Patent number: 10409470
    Abstract: An accessory for a touch-sensitive display includes an image transfer structure and a capacitive marker. The image transfer structure is configured to relay or transfer, above the touch-sensitive display, an optical display plane of an image displayed by the touch-sensitive display. Further, the capacitive marker is capacitively-recognizable by the touch-sensitive display such that the touch-sensitive display visually presents the image in alignment with the image transfer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton David Powell, Pablo Luis Sala
  • Patent number: 10359640
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to optical systems. One example provides a display device comprising an image source including a plurality of encoded regions from which encoded image light is output, and a Fourier transform array. The Fourier transform array may be positioned to receive the encoded image light and output decoded image light that forms a floating image viewable from a plurality of different vantage points, wherein from a first vantage point decoded image light forming a portion of the floating image originates from a first encoded region, and wherein from a second vantage point decoded image light forming the portion originates from a second encoded region, different than the first encoded region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David Powell
  • Patent number: 10223952
    Abstract: An electronic display comprises a display matrix and an image-correcting layer. The display matrix includes a flat face portion, a curved corner portion, a light-releasing surface, and a series of pixels extending across the flat face portion and around the curved corner portion. Coupled to the light-releasing surface of the display matrix, the image-correcting layer is configured to transmit light released from the flat face portion of the display matrix and to reorient light released from the curved corner portion of the display matrix such that the transmitted light and the reoriented light exit the image-correcting layer substantially in parallel, forming an apparent plane image of the series of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton David Powell, Ying Zheng
  • Patent number: 10185064
    Abstract: An electronic display comprises a display matrix, an image-correcting layer, and a luminance-correcting layer. The display matrix includes a flat face portion, a curved corner portion, a light-releasing surface, and a series of pixels extending across the flat face portion and around the curved corner portion. Coupled to the light-releasing surface of the display matrix, the image-correcting layer is configured to transmit light released from the flat face portion of the display matrix and to reorient light released from the curved corner portion of the display matrix such that the transmitted light and the reoriented light exit the image-correcting layer substantially in parallel, forming an apparent plane image of the series of pixels. Arranged between the light-releasing display surface and the image-correcting layer, the luminance-correcting layer is configured to deflect the light released from the curved corner portion into an acceptance profile of the image-correcting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton David Powell, John Michael Lutian
  • Patent number: 10049272
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed herein that relate to user authentication. One example provides a biometric identification system comprising an iris illuminator, an image sensor configured to capture light reflected from irises of a user as a result of those irises being illuminated by the iris illuminator, a drive circuit configured to drive the iris illuminator in a first mode and a second mode that each cause the irises to be illuminated differently, the first and second modes thereby yielding a first mode output at the image sensor and a second mode output at the image sensor, respectively, and a processor configured to process at least one of the first mode output and the second mode output and, in response to such processing, select one of the first mode and the second mode for use in performing an iris authentication on the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Mudit Agrawal, Karlton David Powell, Christopher Maurice Mei
  • Patent number: 10015378
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising a split camera in front and back portions, and a retaining member. The front portion of the camera includes a set of front mounting features and a light-collecting unit configured to collect light from a subject. The back portion of the camera is reversibly separable from the front portion; it includes a set of back mounting features and an imaging unit configured to image the light. The set of back mounting features is configured to contact the set of front mounting features as the front and back portions are drawn together, forming, cooperatively, a kinematic mount to hold the light-collecting and imaging units in a state of alignment. The retaining member is configured to couple the front portion to the back portion when the front and back portions are drawn together and also when the front and back portions are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David Powell
  • Patent number: 10001845
    Abstract: A 3D silhouette sensing system is described which comprises a stereo camera and a light source. In an embodiment, a 3D sensing module triggers the capture of pairs of images by the stereo camera at the same time that the light source illuminates the scene. A series of pairs of images may be captured at a predefined frame rate. Each pair of images is then analyzed to track both a retroreflector in the scene, which can be moved relative to the stereo camera, and an object which is between the retroreflector and the stereo camera and therefore partially occludes the retroreflector. In processing the image pairs, silhouettes are extracted for each of the retroreflector and the object and these are used to generate a 3D contour for each of the retroreflector and object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David Kim, Shahram Izadi, Vivek Pradeep, Steven Bathiche, Timothy Andrew Large, Karlton David Powell
  • Publication number: 20180114474
    Abstract: An electronic display comprises a display matrix and an image-correcting layer. The display matrix includes a flat face portion, a curved corner portion, a light-releasing surface, and a series of pixels extending across the flat face portion and around the curved corner portion. Coupled to the light-releasing surface of the display matrix, the image-correcting layer is configured to transmit light released from the flat face portion of the display matrix and to reorient light released from the curved corner portion of the display matrix such that the transmitted light and the reoriented light exit the image-correcting layer substantially in parallel, forming an apparent plane image of the series of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton David Powell, Ying Zheng
  • Publication number: 20180113241
    Abstract: An electronic display comprises a display matrix, an image-correcting layer, and a luminance-correcting layer. The display matrix includes a flat face portion, a curved corner portion, a light-releasing surface, and a series of pixels extending across the flat face portion and around the curved corner portion. Coupled to the light-releasing surface of the display matrix, the image-correcting layer is configured to transmit light released from the flat face portion of the display matrix and to reorient light released from the curved corner portion of the display matrix such that the transmitted light and the reoriented light exit the image-correcting layer substantially in parallel, forming an apparent plane image of the series of pixels. Arranged between the light-releasing display surface and the image-correcting layer, the luminance-correcting layer is configured to deflect the light released from the curved corner portion into an acceptance profile of the image-correcting layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton David Powell, John Michael Lutian
  • Publication number: 20180074639
    Abstract: An accessory for a touch-sensitive display includes an image transfer structure and a capacitive marker. The image transfer structure is configured to relay or transfer, above the touch-sensitive display, an optical display plane of an image displayed by the touch-sensitive display. Further, the capacitive marker is capacitively-recognizable by the touch-sensitive display such that the touch-sensitive display visually presents the image in alignment with the image transfer structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton David Powell, Pablo Luis Sala
  • Publication number: 20180077326
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising a split camera in front and back portions, and a retaining member. The front portion of the camera includes a set of front mounting features and a light-collecting unit configured to collect light from a subject. The back portion of the camera is reversibly separable from the front portion; it includes a set of back mounting features and an imaging unit configured to image the light. The set of back mounting features is configured to contact the set of front mounting features as the front and back portions are drawn together, forming, cooperatively, a kinematic mount to hold the light-collecting and imaging units in a state of alignment. The retaining member is configured to couple the front portion to the back portion when the front and back portions are drawn together and also when the front and back portions are separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David Powell
  • Patent number: 9864119
    Abstract: An infrared filter includes a substrate having a front and surface. The infrared filter includes screened ink and an optically clear medium, or dye impregnated medium. The screened ink has a front surface nearest the substrate and a back surface. The screened ink has a first index of refraction. The optically clear medium abuts at least a portion of the back surface of the screened ink. The optically clear medium has a second index of refraction that differs from the first index of refraction of the screened ink by less than a predetermined amount. The dye impregnated medium has a spectral transmission over an infrared wavelength of greater than 70% and a spectral transmission over a visible light wavelength of less than 5%, while at same time maintaining MTF performance of a vision system imaging through the filter. Methods of manufacture are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David Powell
  • Publication number: 20170285763
    Abstract: A 3D silhouette sensing system is described which comprises a stereo camera and a light source. In an embodiment, a 3D sensing module triggers the capture of pairs of images by the stereo camera at the same time that the light source illuminates the scene. A series of pairs of images may be captured at a predefined frame rate. Each pair of images is then analyzed to track both a retroreflector in the scene, which can be moved relative to the stereo camera, and an object which is between the retroreflector and the stereo camera and therefore partially occludes the retroreflector. In processing the image pairs, silhouettes are extracted for each of the retroreflector and the object and these are used to generate a 3D contour for each of the retroreflector and object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: David KIM, Shahram IZADI, Vivek PRADEEP, Steven BATHICHE, Timothy Andrew LARGE, Karlton David POWELL
  • Publication number: 20170261758
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to optical systems. One example provides a display device comprising an image source including a plurality of encoded regions from which encoded image light is output, and a Fourier transform array. The Fourier transform array may be positioned to receive the encoded image light and output decoded image light that forms a floating image viewable from a plurality of different vantage points, wherein from a first vantage point decoded image light forming a portion of the floating image originates from a first encoded region, and wherein from a second vantage point decoded image light forming the portion originates from a second encoded region, different than the first encoded region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David Powell
  • Patent number: 9720506
    Abstract: A 3D silhouette sensing system is described which comprises a stereo camera and a light source. In an embodiment, a 3D sensing module triggers the capture of pairs of images by the stereo camera at the same time that the light source illuminates the scene. A series of pairs of images may be captured at a predefined frame rate. Each pair of images is then analyzed to track both a retroreflector in the scene, which can be moved relative to the stereo camera, and an object which is between the retroreflector and the stereo camera and therefore partially occludes the retroreflector. In processing the image pairs, silhouettes are extracted for each of the retroreflector and the object and these are used to generate a 3D contour for each of the retroreflector and object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David Kim, Shahram Izadi, Vivek Pradeep, Steven Bathiche, Timothy Andrew Large, Karlton David Powell
  • Patent number: 9653044
    Abstract: A display system comprises a head-mounted projector including an exit aperture and a projection engine to project image light through the exit aperture. The image light is projected onto a retro-reflective display that reflects image light in a first dimension at above 90% efficiency within a 25 degree exit angular spread and reflects image light in the first dimension below 10% efficiency outside of a 35 degree exit angular spread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Andrew Large, Steven Bathiche, Karlton David Powell
  • Patent number: 9638841
    Abstract: Embodiments for optical diffusion devices are provided. In one example, an optical diffusion device comprises a first optical element including a first diffusing surface, a second optical element including a second diffusing surface, and an adhesive layer optically coupling the first diffusing surface to the second diffusing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Liying Chen, Karlton David Powell
  • Publication number: 20170091548
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed herein that relate to user authentication. One example provides a biometric identification system comprising an iris illuminator, an image sensor configured to capture light reflected from irises of a user as a result of those irises being illuminated by the iris illuminator, a drive circuit configured to drive the iris illuminator in a first mode and a second mode that each cause the irises to be illuminated differently, the first and second modes thereby yielding a first mode output at the image sensor and a second mode output at the image sensor, respectively, and a processor configured to process at least one of the first mode output and the second mode output and, in response to such processing, select one of the first mode and the second mode for use in performing an iris authentication on the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Mudit Agrawal, Karlton David Powell, Christopher Maurice Mei